Two Time Purple Heart Medal recipient Ivan Sears receives all-inclusive dream wedding to high school sweetheart at Old McMicky’s Farm

The love story of Ivan and Sarah began when they met in high school. Best of friends, Sara continued on to college and Ivan joined the Marine Corps. They stayed in touch and leaned on each other during stressful times. “We were both going through a lot at the time.” says Sarah.

On her way to work, she received a call from Ivan, who was deployed in Afghanistan. He had been hit by shrapnel in a blast. Sara remembers, “I was swerving as I was driving.” But it touched her that she was the first person he called. The second injury Ivan endured ended his tour in Afghanistan. He lost both legs to an IED (Improvised explosive device) and this time she learned the news on social media.

Ivan received two Purple Heart Medals, and returned to Texas for two long years of rehabilitation. Also in Texas, Sarah played a big part of his recovery process. They agree that they were both “Always the person to call because you can talk about anything.”

Their first true date was the Marine Corps Ball, where Sarah was introduced to Ivan’s friends and comrades. They later attended Ivan’s best friend's "Mission I Do" wedding at Old McMicky’s Farm, “And that’s when things got serious.” adds Sarah. With only a civil ceremony at the court house and together now for seven years, they dreamed of a wedding they never had.

After recovery, Ivan began training for wheelchair racing. With Sarah’s support, he competed in the Warrior Games, winning gold and silver medals there as well as the Invictus Games. 

It was the privilege of Old McMicky’s Farm and the farm's "Mission I Do" program, to help Sarah and Ivan’s dream wedding become a reality. Mission I Do provides free all-inclusive weddings to active duty military and veterans, and has provided 9 free weddings to date. Sarah and Ivan’s wedding was held on January 23rd, 2022.

As a surprise to Ivan and Sarah, the farm also arranged for a full Dress Blue Marine Corp Sword Arch Ceremony to honor Ivan.

In November Ivan and Sarah were introduced to over 700 attendees at the farm’s Barns and Beer Craft Beer Festival who were there to show their love and appreciation to honored guests, Purple Heart Medal Recipients and Gold Star Families. Farm owner Ralph Zuckerman announced that “The wedding was not a gift from the farm. The gift of the wedding was from Ivan to his bride Sarah, fully earned by his service to his country.”

Everyone in the military helps to protect our families so we thought one of the best ways to show our appreciation was to help them with the wedding celebration they had dreamed of.

At the November event, John Vasalakis, the lead singer of the band Stormbringer, approached Ivan and said "Thank You for Your Service"

With his grave injuries which he still deals with on a daily basis, Ivan responded " You Are Worth It"

Those four words exemplified the Honor, Commitment, Class and Selflessness of Ivan and all of the men and women of our military.

Ivan Sears is still active duty serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Although we all have and are entitled to our different beliefs, we all sleep underneath their blanket of freedom and safety."

To see the "Mission I Do" program and past MID weddings - https://oldmcmickys.com/mission-i-do/

To learn more about Weddings at the Barn at Crescent Lake at Old McMicky's Farm - https://barnatcrescentlake.com/

Barns and Beer is the farm's main fundraiser to which they invite Purple Heart Medal Recipients and Gold Star Families as their honored guests.

The next Barns and Beer is Friday, April 1, 2022. For details please visit https://fb.me/e/2Qbr1ngju

The public is invited to come and enjoy.

Special thanks to Michelle Stephens of Old McMicky's Farm for coordinating the beautiful Mission I DO wedding, USMC Reserve Center - Tampa Florida for the amazing Sword Arch Ceremony, and for the contributions of Amici's Catered Cuisine (Catering), Events Done Right (DJ), Spunky Spirits (Bartending), A Beautiful Wedding in Florida (Officiant), Connie Douglin (Linens) Corey's Bakery (Cake), Eyes On You (Hair and Makeup), Residence Inn (Accommodations), Courtney Ferrante - Laura Ramirez - Kayla Cameron Photography (Photography).

To all of the men and women of our military, past and present, 

And to all of your families who share in your service and sacrifice,

For protecting our country and for keeping our families safe,

Thank you.

All the Best Wishes to Ivan, Sarah and their family and their future 

Thank you for the privilege of your time.

Ralph Zuckerman

Old McMicky's Farm